While writing a new adventure I stopped to think about how to name it. The usual way of “The something something” is used so many times that it looks even a bit silly. I got a bit carried away while thinking about this and thought of Barbarians of Lemuria by Beyond Belief Games. It is an excellent game and I can recommend it to everyone. Butchering hordes of minions has never been so fun!
In Barbarians of Lemuria all adventures are named after one of the characters (usually determined randomly). So it is Gotrek the Gladiator or Felix and The Curse of the Onyx Sword etc. It is a good way to shine some light on characters.
This got me thinking. Why wouldn’t use it in other fantasy games? After an adventure is over the GM could reveal the name of the adventure (I never reveal names before the end as they are usually too much of a give-away). Then the players could decide which character made the adventure most memorable. Giving the decision to the hands of the players is a great way to reward them for good roleplaying and allow them to think how they could make sure that the next adventure would carry the name of their character.
Just a thought though. At least I would like to remember the adventure as “Jacén de’Caradué and the Crimson Rain” or “Nils Bärherz and the Eye for an Eye”.
What do you think?
Great idea, but why not use the party sheet name in the adventure name? That way, all characters are included: “The Drunken Fools and the Mark of Khorne”
That’s actually a very good idea too. We rarely used party sheets in any effect during our games but I can see how great it would sound. Dashing Young Fools and the Gathering Storm.
Personally I still think that raising one character to a pedestal by naming the scenario after him creates healthy competition which should lead into memorable gaming.
Though it might raise the party tension in the gaming group.
My problem with that is while I like bringing a characters backstory into it, thus making it personal, things fall apart quickly when that player decides he can’t show up that night.
Ah! But that’s why the adventures should be named only AFTER it has been done. After finishing an Eye for an Eye you should name it Hans Krüger and an Eye for an Eye. Not before poor Hans has even finished it.
That works, but when I’ve been bitten in the past is when I have planned adventures around characters during preparations. By the way, are you the author of the Master of Shadows campaign in Liber Fanatica? Or do I have my authors confused?
I think that all GM’s have been bitten in that way. There is nothing more frustrating than getting a “I can’t make it”-call from a player whose character was left in the spotlight at the end of the previous session and whose presence is essential for the next one.
And yes. I co-authored part one, wrote the second part and have big plans for the finale of the Master of Shadows. Feel free to ask anything and/or give comments and suggestions. I was just discussing with the overlords of Liber Fanatica about our plans for the coming issue.
I plan on using much parts 1 and 2, along with Ubersriek by Night, combined with the Edge of Night and The Mirror of Desire. I will send you a lengthy email, if you don’t mind, outlining my nefarious plans and I would be open for suggestions. Nice work by the way. I’m a long time fan of LF. I downloaded issue one back in the day and have returned to the well ever since. That along with Warpstone are my two favorite places for inspiration.
Please do. I’d be interested to see what you come up with. I hope you have noticed our campaign notes.
It’s also great to hear someone is using LF. That’s why they are written!